Stand for Love Ch. 14

Just thinking about everything was making his whole head hurt. If only he could have had answers all at once. Then everything would be as simple as ABC. But in that very situation there was nothing to do but search for more because he was as good as having no answers.

"Baby, please,"

"I'm fine," Adrian tried to smile but it failed terribly. He wasn't fooling anyone at all.

"Are you sure?"

"Uh-uh," Adrian nodded. He didn't want to scare his husband or lead him into thinking that something was definitely. As it was, Nicholas had just come out of a very difficult situation a few days before. The last thing he wanted was to make him even more worried.

"But if..." Adrian frowned, staring at his husband. "...if Equilinias is such a big company, how come I haven't heard of it?"

Nicholas squeezed Adrian's shoulder and brought him closer into his arms. Then he planted a kiss on his temple and chuckled softly.

"That's because most of their departments have middle names. They are known by their middle names so..."

"I understand," Adrian said softly. He didn't understand a thing even though he said that.

"Okay." Nicholas said. "Can you now tell me about the reason why you seem interested in Equilinias?"

"Actually, I heard from someone and I was just curiously. " Not a convincing answer but Adrian was sure it was gonna get to his crazy husband.

Nicholas gave him a curious look and then he smiled. Even though Adrian was filled with a lot of questions, the last thing he wanted was to make Nicholas worried. So he raised his face and gave his husband a heartwarming smile. He just hoped it was working.

Looking at Adrian, Nicholas could tell that something was not right. There was a mystery behind that wonderful smile which Adrian had given. It was like he was hiding something important to him.

"Baby," Nicholas said softly. "Are you...hiding something from me?"

'Should I tell him?' Adrian thought, grinning at his husband. "No! This will make him worried. Maybe later but right now...right now I have to hide it from him. As it is, he just recovered from his mother's betrayal. I don't want to...'

Adrian gasped when he heard Nicholas' finger snapping on his face. He quickly looked at his husband with a really bright smile. Looking at his husband, he could very well tell that he was worried. Adrian didn't want him to be. He had to take him out of the room and to the people that were lively downstairs.

"Are you sure..."

"Granny and the others are waiting." Adrian lied, moving his hand to caress Nicholas' cheeks. "Let's go downstairs."

Adrian quickly got up, lost in his thoughts. He had no idea what was happening to him but what he knew was that he had to find answers to his many questions. He was not gonna be at peace until everything came to light. If he was the heir of that company just like his mother had told, then he had to find answers to some of his questions. What was his relationship with the late owner of the company?

Nicholas slowly got up but he had his eyes on the boy who seemed lost. He hated seeing him the way he was looking. He wanted the old boy to return. He could tell that something was wrong. Why would he ask about Equilinias and then remain quiet and lost after finding the answers? Nicholas was gonna find out even if it means confronting him.

"Let's go," Nicholas said calmly, wrapping his arms around Adrian's waist. The boy gave him a confusing smile and as they started walking out of the room, Nicholas was thinking about what to ask Adrian. But hey, who knows, maybe Adrian would cheer up once they go back to the living room. Nicholas really hoped so.

Holding on to Adrian's waist tightly, they both went to the living room where they found the family members having the time of their lives, chuckling and laughing out loud.

****

The energy in the living room was really beautiful and extraordinary. Everyone was laughing...they were smiling...they were joking...they were having the time of their lives. Each one was giving out a beautiful adventurous story...well almost everyone, especially George and Emily. It was really a happy mood but yet, Adrian was not lively at all. He was the only one who was not contributing anything to their conversation. It was like he was lost, totally thinking about something confusing. Nicholas had noticed it too but so did the others though they just decided to avoid it. Looking at the time it was almost 8.pm and Adrian had been like that since they came back. But maybe some good news was gonna cheer him up.

Speaking of good news, Nicholas had even forgotten about some news that he had to tell his husband. He had been dying to give it to him but got distracted after that sensual massage that Adrian had given him.

"By the way," Nicholas started, squeezing Adrian's shoulder, bringing him to life with a smile. "Adrian and I will be at a photo shoot for our Company updates in a few days. I really need to update everything so I thought it would be nice to have Adrian by my side. What do you think?"

Adrian heard Nicholas quite alright and he had no problem with it but what really bothered him was how he was constantly thinking about everything that Nicholas had told him while in their room. It felt too big to swallow.

Adrian quickly moved his face to his husband without any expression on his face. "Err...can I use your laptop?" Adrian asked. If he couldn't find out the truth from someone's mouth, he was gonna do it using the media. After all, they've got all the information, right?

"Yeah..." Nicholas said in an almost not sure voice. Something was definitely wrong. "...you don't have to ask."

"Thanks," Adrian smiled, rising from the couch. He quickly rushed out of the living room and went back to his room.

To say Nicholas was surprised would be an understatement. He was worried, scared and extremely confused. Whatever was making Adrian like that must have been pretty important. He had never seen him in the mood that he was in. It was all just confusing and he had no idea what was wrong.

Nicholas dropped his eyes on the floor, wondering and thinking. He just wanted to help Adrian out of that situation he was in. And what was the laptop for? Adrian had never asked for Nicholas' laptop before. What was he really looking for?

"Nicholas!"

Upon hearing George's voice, Nicholas quickly raised his face up and stared into his eyes. Not only was his friend's face with a frown but he was also not smiling. Nicholas gave him a grin and then chuckled nervously after answering his friend.

"Yeah," He chuckled nervously.

"What did you do to him?" George asked, giving him a frown. "Did you say something and..."

"No!"

"Then why does he look like that?" George asked. "I mean he was okay when we came back from work right? He's mood has changed ever since you two came back from the room."

Nicholas lost his smile and then sighed. "I really didn't do anything to him."

"Then do you have any idea what's bothering him?" Noah asked with a worried look on his face. "He's really scaring me. He seemed lost, confused and worried. I was even afraid to ask what was wrong with him."

"The truth is..." Nicholas paused and then gave a deep sigh. "...he asked me about something. I told him about what he asked and then his mood just changed to..." He pointed his hand to the stairs. "...that. I really have no idea why his mood changed but..."

"What did he ask about?" Emily asked in a curious tone.

"It's about a company, Equilinias." He gave a deep breath to get some of his worries off his shoulder. "He seemed curious but..."

"Go and be with him." Granny said softly. "I just know that he shouldn't stay alone in that condition. You should try and find out what really is wrong with him. Then get back to us okay?"

"I'll do that granny," He smiled and then gave a nervous chuckle. "I was actually thinking telling him some good news would snap him out of that mood."

"Well, it didn't," George laughed, snapping his fingers. "Now get going and make him happy."

"Alright," Nicholas raised his hands in the air as if surrendering. "I'm going."

Nicholas gave a chuckle and then left the living room to go to his room. He was really hoping he'd somehow get Adrian out of the foul mood that he was in.

****

Adrian reached the room and was already heading for the laptop which was on a small table. He quickly grabbed and sat on the bed, shaking terribly. The news Nicholas had given him about Equilinias was killing him with suspense. He had no idea how, but what he was hoping for was to find at least any hint which would lead him to finding out the truth. If he was truly the heir of the multinational company, then he had to find anything that would help him.

Adrian sat on the bed, quickly opening the laptop. He switched it on and impatiently waited for it to turn on. In just a few seconds it was on and he was already going on to Google. Seeing that he was connected, Adrian took a deep breath before typing in Equilinias.

A few moments the details were on. Adrian took a really deep breath, slowly lay on the bed and began reading the details of the company. There were quite a number of details but he was bound to make sure that he reads each and every word and that was what he started from the very first article.

According to the company website, Equilinias was founded 60 years ago. It started as just a small shop but the owner, 'Charles W. Luther' was determined to expand it. He continued his hard work till it eventually expanded and he formed the very first company and it was called 'Charlieplin Corporation.'

After several years, the company expanded and it became a large multinational company, dealing in a range of goods. It became one of the most successful business empires in Belenia. It changed its name to Equilinias and Charles became the first one. It was inherited by Jack Luther 35 years ago and it expanded to a large extent. It has many branches and is one of the biggest business empires in Belenia.

Jack died 24 years ago and since then there has been no heir. Adrian read the article from beginning to the end. He had no idea why that information was somehow not useful to him. It felt like such a headache and he had no fucking idea where he'd get the rest of the information.

Nicholas had been standing beside the bed, staring at Adrian for close to 20 minutes. Something was definitely with Adrian. He still seemed bothered and sweaty. And the way he was glued onto that laptop made him scared. Just what was Adrian up to? Nicholas couldn't take it anymore. He needed to end it and ask his husband what was wrong with him.

Taking a deep sigh, Nicholas sat on the bed. He then crawled up the bed, touching Adrian on the back. As expected, the boy looked at him and smiled faintly. Without even saying anything, he went back to the laptop. Just what had him glued on that computer?

Nicholas slowly leaned down, moving his eyes to the computer. What he saw left him dumbstruck. Adrian was searching about Equilinias again. Okay, that was it for Nicholas. He had it up to his neck and was gonna demand for answers. He moved his hand to Adrian's shoulder and gently squeezed him.

Feeling Nicholas' hand on his shoulder, gently squeezing him, Adrian moved his face to stare into the worried face of his husband. Somehow, he was concerned but he still couldn't move his face away from that screen which he was hoping would give him more information.

"What's going?" Nicholas asked, trying to get his eyes off the screen.

"Nothing," Adrian said, moving the cursor to scroll the page down. He was still trying to read everything that was on that page but it was not helping him anyway. He quickly typed in Jack Wilson but there were no results, nothing. It even got him worried and more confused. Of course, he knew his husband was getting worried but until he finds out why his mother had said he was an Equilinias he would never ever rest.

Nicholas didn't like Adrian's response. He thought of doing what he thought would be right for him and for Adrian. He quickly moved his hands from Adrian's shoulder and then grabbed the laptop. He quickly closed it and looked at the boy who seemed lost.

"Why?" Adrian complained, breathing faster than he had been. "Why did you do that? Please I am not in the mood for..."

"Neither am I," Nicholas said in a seriously tone. He had his hand pinned on the laptop. He was not gonna let it go until he found the answers he was seeking.

"Please let me..."

"Why are you interested in that?" Nicholas asked, slightly raising his voice. "You should be..."

"It's nothing," Adrian said, trying to open the laptop. But how could he when Nicholas had it pinned on the bed.

"Nothing?" Nicholas shrugged, angry. "Why are you so interested in Equilinias? Why is it that..."

"Please." Adrian begged, feeling a cold wind blow over him. "It's nothing and...Just leave me alone for some minutes."

"What?" Nicholas gulped, letting go of the laptop. So Adrian was telling him to go away when he didn't want? Hmm, maybe he could play that game too. He had an idea on how to get what he wanted.

Adrian quickly got the laptop and opened it again. In no time he was back on the website. He was really hoping his husband understood him. He didn't want to make him upset but he was afraid of making him worried.

"Alright," Nicholas said, getting off the bed. His voice sounded sad. "I'll leave you. But I expected you to tell me whatever it was that were bothering you but you can't. Guess you don't love or trust me like I thought." He sighed and began moving away from the bed.

Hearing what Nicholas had said, Adrian got scared and he quickly moved his eyes to see him walking slowly away from him. He knew he was upset and he had caused it. And that last statement got him worried. He knew what he was trying to search was important but it wasn't as important as his husband. He needed to tell him what exactly was going on.

His heart was already racing and he was sweating terribly. He quickly moved away from the bed and ran to his husband that was going away. Reaching him, he gripped his waist and held him tightly and almost started crying. He felt his movements immediately stop but he didn't want to let him go.

"Why did you say that?" Adrian said softly, tightening his grip on the hunk's waist. "Please don't ever say that. You know you are my life and I love you more than anything else in the world. I can't imagine life without you. I only did that to protect you. I didn't want you to worry or think that I'm going mad or something. I'm sorry," He said softly, literally pleading. "Please forgive me for this."

Feeling Adrian's electrically powered arms wrapped around him was magical. There was a great spark and it made his body quiver. Nicholas smiled brightly as a wave of emotions travelled to his whole body. He trembled from pleasure and then slowly turned, feeling Adrian's arms leaving him. Then he cupped his cheeks and looked deep in his eyes. He smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"I'm not mad at you." Nicholas chuckled, slowly rubbing Adrian's sweet cheeks. "I would never ever be mad at you. Not ever again. But just know that when you're worried I'm worried. Just tell me what's going on with you because I am worried."

"You won't believe me," Adrian dropped his eyes to the floor. "You'll only see me as..."

"Hey," Nicholas whispered, bringing his hand to Adrian's chin. Then he brought his face up and gave him a wonderful kiss. "I am your husband. Even if you tell me that the sun will die tomorrow..." He paused and then chuckled. "...I'll believe you."

Adrian smiled brightly and then chuckled nervously. He knew his crazy husband was gonna believe him, literally. But telling him that his mother had said blah-blah-blah would be too much for him to take. Besides, who would ever believe dreams did come true? But he was gonna tell him anyway.

"Can you please sit down?" Adrian said, taking Nicholas to the bed. He made him sit down and then took a deep breath, feeling Nicholas' hot hands on his thighs.

"Now will you please tell me?" Nicholas squeezed Adrian's thigh.

"Alright," Adrian then began narrating how he had come to know of Equilinias up to the point where he had found the paper in Jake's room.

*

"Is that it?" Nicholas smiled, slowly rubbing Adrian's chin. "How do you know..."

"I knew you wouldn't believe..."

"I believe you." Nicholas said, smiling brightly. "You told me that everything that she had predicted had come to reality right? Then I'll get away your worries. Why don't we search the web for the late owner of the company? Who knows, he might just turn out to be your grandfather."

"I had thought of that," Adrian said softly. "But..." He sighed. "...I didn't know how my grandfather looked like because uncle...my father never left with anything after he died and my mother had no family. They all died in a fire. From what I know, my grandfather was really poor. But what really bothers me is that they have the same name, Jack. It's what my..."

"Give me the laptop," Nicholas said, signaling towards the laptop. He knew Adrian might have been taking his dream a little serious but he needed to help him out. Actually he believed him. If Jake had a paper with the same name then there was definitely something. Nicholas suspected that something was up. The last heir died 24 years ago exactly when Adrian's grandfather died. That could be a lead, right?

Adrian smiled after hearing that Nicholas would help. Still smiling, he grabbed the laptop and gave it to his husband.

Nicholas took the laptop and asked Adrian the owner of the company's name. He checked and many pictures came. He read about his early life but the man's name was Jack Luther and nothing else. Shouldn't he have been Wilson?

"Do you recognize him?" Nicholas asked.

Adrian looked at the picture on the laptop. He had not seen it before, but he was eager to know. Who was he going to ask? He couldn't ask his uncle because he knew he wouldn't get a thing. The man on the screen was handsome with blonde hair and he was quite muscular. He would have loved it if he had exclaimed and said, "That's my grandfather." But he couldn't do it.

"No," Adrian sighed. "I told you it's useless. I haven't seen my grandfather before. My father had no picture of him."

"Hmm," Nicholas sighed. "So are you gonna drop..."

"No," Adrian said loudly. "That man had the same name as my grandfather and I need to find out exactly what had happened. I need to know why my mother called me that name and coincidentally it happens to be the same with that company." But another thought came to his brain and he was really hoping it would help things out. "Doesn't the article say anything about the sons or anything?" He exclaimed. That might be the only way he'd get to know if it was his grandfather.

"Let me check," Nicholas said as he scrolled down. "Alright, it only says that his wife died of cancer and..."

"Wait!" Adrian hollered, quickly getting up. "Can you please help me find out how exactly he died?"

"Uh," Nicholas tried to search. "Sorry," He said, looking straight at the wonderful boy. "It doesn't say anything about that."

"Granny died of cancer," Adrian whispered to himself. "That's what my father told me when I asked. Grandpa was found dead in a car, two months after granny died."

"What?" Nicholas hollered, gripping Adrian's hand.

"I think I might get something out of the information that we've found out."

"What?"

"Grandpa's name was Jack Wilson, and granny died of cancer." Adrian said, putting his finger on his head as he tried to think. "Things might not be exactly the same but I have a feeling that..."

"You're the heir?" Nicholas chimed in, squeezing his hand tightly.